Patient monitor modules

GE Healthcare BIS module: troubleshooting and error codes

The ServiceForge knowledge base holds 28 documented symptoms for the GE Healthcare BIS module, with 36 ranked causes, 13 diagnostic checks with test points and expected values, and 0 error codes. Each symptom below shows its causes and the first check; the rest is one connection away. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Symptoms

Module functionality test fails patient safety

BIS module does not function correctly; error messages appear or test DSC fails.

Ranked causes

1. BISx unit defective (common)
2. Incompatible system component (occasional)
3. Identical modules connected (occasional)
4. Defective or incompatible accessories (occasional)
5. Loose keypad cable or module connector problem (rare)

First check

Verify system component compatibility

Test point: Monitor and all connected modules
Expected: All components listed in supplemental information manual

5 more checks with pass and fail actions, 5 corrective actions, and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Sensor check failed patient safety

BIS sensor impedance check fails; one or more electrode impedances exceed acceptable threshold.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor improperly attached to patient (common)
2. Faulty sensor (occasional)
3. PIC+ cable or BISx unit faulty (occasional)

3 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Sensor impedance check not available in menus

Sensor impedance check option is missing or inaccessible from monitor menu system.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor not connected to BISx unit (common)
2. BISx unit not connected to monitor module (occasional)

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Testing DSC message displayed

BISx unit self-test is in progress or has been manually activated from BIS menu.

Ranked causes

1. BISx unit test in progress (common)
2. Test result is FAIL; repeat or replace unit (occasional)

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Apply sensor message displayed

Message appears in parameter window indicating sensor connection to patient is loose.

Ranked causes

1. Loose sensor electrodes (common)

First check

Verify sensor electrode contact with patient skin

Test point: BIS sensor electrodes
Expected: Firm contact with good impedance

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Artifact message displayed

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates signals contain noise or artifact from non-EEG data such as EMG, eye blinks, or shivering.

Ranked causes

1. Non-EEG artifact present (common)

First check

Monitor signal quality and artifact levels

Test point: BIS waveform display
Expected: Artifact clears and signal quality improves

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Automatic check off message displayed

Message in parameter window indicates automatic sensor check has been turned off.

Ranked causes

1. Automatic sensor check disabled (unknown)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

BIS cable off message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area indicates cable is disconnected from the module.

Ranked causes

1. BIS cable disconnected (common)

First check

Verify cable connection

Test point: BIS module connector
Expected: Cable firmly seated

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

BIS DSC error message displayed caution

Alarm message in alarm area indicates BISx unit is not communicating or operating properly, may occur during electrocautery use.

Ranked causes

1. BISx communication or operation failure (occasional)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

BIS measurement removed message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area indicates BIS module is disconnected from the module slot.

Ranked causes

1. BIS module disconnected from slot (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

BIS module error message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area indicates BISx unit failure.

Ranked causes

1. BISx unit failure (rare)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

BIS sensor check failed message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area indicates sensor check failed due to one or more electrode impedances exceeding threshold.

Ranked causes

1. High electrode impedance (common)

First check

Verify electrode impedance

Test point: Sensor electrodes
Expected: All electrode impedances below threshold

3 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

BIS sensor expired message displayed patient safety

Alarm message in alarm area indicates sensor date has expired, sensor used too many times, validity time cannot be determined, or sensor used for more than 24 hours.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor expired or overused (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Cable off message displayed

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates cable is disconnected from the module.

Ranked causes

1. Cable disconnected (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Checking sensor message displayed

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates sensor check is in progress, either initial, manual, or periodic check.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor check in progress (common)

First check

Monitor sensor check progress

Test point: Parameter or waveform display
Expected: Check completes successfully

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Checking sensor message stays longer than 2 minutes patient safety

Sensor check process does not complete within normal 2-minute timeout period.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor not attached to patient while connected to PIC+ cable (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Demo data message displayed

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates BIS simulator is connected.

Ranked causes

1. BIS simulator connected (rare)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

DSC error message displayed caution

Message in parameter window indicates BISx unit is not communicating or operating properly, may occur during electrocautery use.

Ranked causes

1. BISx communication or operation failure (occasional)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

High BIS impedance message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area indicates electrode impedance is too high due to sensor not being properly connected to patient.

Ranked causes

1. High electrode impedance from loose connection (common)

First check

Measure electrode impedance

Test point: BIS sensor electrodes
Expected: Impedance below threshold

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Identical BIS modules message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area indicates there are two or more BIS modules in the system.

Ranked causes

1. Multiple BIS modules present (rare)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Incompatible DSC message displayed

Message in parameter window indicates hardware/software is not compatible with the BISx.

Ranked causes

1. Incompatible DSC hardware or software (rare)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Incompatible sensor message displayed patient safety

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates sensor used is not a BIS sensor or is not recognized.

Ranked causes

1. Non-BIS sensor or unrecognized sensor (occasional)

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Module error message displayed

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates BISx unit failure.

Ranked causes

1. BISx unit failure (rare)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

No BIS sensor or No sensor message displayed

Alarm message in alarm area or parameter/waveform window indicates sensor is not connected to PIC+ cable or PIC+ cable is not connected to BISx unit.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor or PIC+ cable not connected (common)

3 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

No BIS waveform displayed on screen

BIS waveform signal is not visible on monitor display; no waveform trace shown.

Ranked causes

1. BIS waveform not selected on display or priority too low (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Poor signal message displayed

Message in parameter or waveform window indicates artifacts or high EMG activity prevent BIS calculation, data excluded, with SQI less than 50.

Ranked causes

1. Low signal quality from artifact or EMG activity (common)

First check

Measure signal quality index

Test point: Parameter display (SQI)
Expected: SQI >= 50

2 corrective actions and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Replace sensor message displayed patient safety

Message in parameter window indicates sensor date has expired, sensor used too many times, validity time cannot be determined, or sensor used for more than 24 hours.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor expired or overused (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Sensor impedance check fails during operation patient safety

Sensor impedance test cannot be completed or produces error result during check process.

Ranked causes

1. Sensor poorly attached to patient (common)

1 corrective action and part numbers are in ServiceForge. Connect ServiceForge to your AI

Community

0 fixes logged by technicians through their AI, with outcomes, for this model.

ServiceForge knowledge base record. Field-unverified unless technicians confirmed it. A teaching summary of the record, not a service manual. Export 2026-10-14.